On January 21, 2025, during the Inaugural Asia International Security Summit & Expo 2025 (AISSE '25), held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), Malaysia, from January 20 to 22, 2025, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat participated in a bilateral meeting with representatives from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Representing ASEANAPOL were Executive Director Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan, Director for Plans and Programmes (DPP) Police Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Ngoc, and Director for Police Services Police Senior Superintendent Huntal Tambunan. The AFP delegation was led by Commander South East Asia Warwick Macfarlane, along with Commander Danny Caruana and Senior Officer Nick Moger.
Strengthening Capacity-Building and Regional Security: Discussions centered on enhancing capacity-building initiatives and reinforcing AFP’s role as an ASEANAPOL Dialogue Partner, a partnership formalized in 2008. Commander Warwick Macfarlane highlighted AFP’s concerns regarding the escalating threats posed by transnational crimes, particularly drug trafficking, cybercrime, and terrorism, which continue to impact ASEAN member states.
He further emphasized the pivotal role of the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC) as a key hub for conducting specialized training and capacity-building programs for law enforcement agencies across the region.
Commitment to Collective Action Against Transnational Crime: ASEANAPOL Secretariat Executive Director Police Colonel Vinluan underscored the Secretariat’s readiness to support the dissemination, collaboration, and coordination of capacity-building and training programs for all ASEANAPOL Member Countries. He emphasized that enhanced cooperation and knowledge-sharing would significantly contribute to strengthening law enforcement capabilities in tackling transnational organized crime.
This engagement aligns with ASEANAPOL’s broader mission to strengthen regional cooperation in combatting transnational organized crime. Both ASEANAPOL and AFP reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing collaboration, exploring new opportunities for joint initiatives, and bolstering the capabilities of law enforcement agencies across ASEAN.
Through this bilateral dialogue, ASEANAPOL reiterates its dedication to fostering international partnerships in the collective fight against transnational crime, ensuring greater security and stability for the region and beyond.
"Together We Keep This Region Safe"